News

RCMI scholars join Hong Kong delegation for TCM study tour

RCMI scholars join Hong Kong delegation for TCM study tour   Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), together with Dr Christina POON, Member of RCMI, joined a delegation comprising top scholars and industry leaders from Hong Kong’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector, for the “Hong Kong TCM Production, Education, and Research Study Tour (Hangzhou, Shanghai, Tiantai Mountain)” held 13–16 May 2025.   The study tour, jointly organised by the International Association of Modern Chinese Medicine, the International Pharmaceutical Association, and the “Belt and Road” TCM Development Alliance, aims to promote the deep integration of TCM in production, education and research, thereby supporting the high-quality development of TCM within the “Belt and Road” initiative. The delegation was led by Mr YEUNG Kwok Chun, Chairman, Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association Foundation.  The deputy delegation leaders were Prof. XU Hongxi, Chairman, The Belt and Road Alliance for Traditional Chinese Medicine (The Alliance), and Ms SUEN Leong, Chief Executive, Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association.  The group visited various governmental bodies, universities and key industrial sites involved in the TCM sector in Zhejiang, Shanghai and Tiantai Mountain, and met with representatives for productive discussions on the TCM innovation and modernisation.  Visited sites and institutions included: Dendrobium officinale cultivation base and GMP (good manufacturing practice)-approved pharmaceutical factory in Tiantai Mountain, Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Shanghai Municipal Health Commission.   During the tour, the delegation explored opportunities for potential collaborations with the parties and had fruitful dialogue on aspects including training and certification for practitioners and pharmacists, as well as research collaboration and industrial integration, highlighting the importance of developments and collaborations in these areas and the construction of TCM service systems in countries subscribed to the Belt and Road Initiative, for driving TCM modernisation and global health.   This visit provided an important platform for TCM leaders in Hong Kong and mainland China to engage in professional interflows, forging closer ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland in accelerating TCM standardisation and internationalization, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom to global public health endeavours.  

RCMI organises forum on brain-periphery-immune interactions

RCMI organises forum on brain-periphery-immune interactions The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) organised the “2nd Forum of The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Joint Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Regulation of Brain-Peripheral Homeostasis and Comprehensive Health” on 8 May 2025 on the PolyU campus. Under the theme of “The Brain-Periphery-Immune Interactions”, 13 esteemed speakers from across the globe presented their research on the human gut, bone, muscle, brain and more, elucidating their roles in contributing to comprehensive health. The meeting brought together about a total of 60 experts and professionals who joined the event in person or online, providing an important platform for knowledge exchange and further collaborations in health-related fields. Established in 2022, the joint laboratory seeks to combine the unique research strengths and expertise of universities and industries in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to develop traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health products. It is jointly operated by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Jinan University, Macau University of Science and Technology, and Guangzhou Baiyunshan Guanghua Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

RCMI co-organize forum

RCMI is proud to co-organize an insightful forum titled "Driving Scientific Innovation and Publication Excellence with the European Journal of Pharmacology and Elsevier." This event is held in collaboration with the PolyU-BGI Joint Research Centre for Genomics and Synthetic Biology in Global Ocean Resources (RCOcean) on 15 April , bringing together leading experts and scholars to discuss cutting-edge developments in pharmacology and scientific publishing. The forum will feature a keynote presentation by Prof. Frank Redegeld from the Faculty of Science at Utrecht University. Prof. Redegeld will delve into the topic of "Eosinophilic Esophagitis – An Emerging Disease: Novel Insights into the Local Immunological Events in Eosinophilic Esophagitis." His talk will explore the latest research findings on this increasingly recognized condition, highlighting the complex immunological processes involved and potential implications for treatment and management. In addition, Dr. Xu Liu, a distinguished publisher for the European Journal of Pharmacology, Life Sciences, and Fitoterapia, will present on "Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in Scientific Writing and Scholarly Publishing." Dr. Liu will discuss the transformative impact of GenAI technologies on the landscape of scientific communication, offering insights into how these tools can enhance the quality and efficiency of scholarly writing and publication processes. This forum represents a unique opportunity for researchers, academics, and industry professionals to engage with pioneering ideas and foster collaborations that drive scientific innovation. Attendees will gain valuable knowledge on emerging trends and technologies that are shaping the future of pharmacology and scientific publishing.

DoRCMI attend the Annual Meeting of the Society of Acunpunture Research ( SAR)

Professor Wong Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (DoRCMI), had the privilege of embarking on a highly productive trip to the University of California at Irvine from April 1-6. During this visit, she attended the Annual Meeting of the Society of Acupuncture Research (SAR). This visit was particularly significant as it aligned with RCMI's mission to advance health equity through research and collaboration. Professor Wong was honored to be invited by Dr. Simin Liu, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, to present a seminar on "Musculoskeletal Protective Agents Targeting Vitamin D Metabolism." This opportunity allowed for an exchange of ideas that could enhance our understanding of health disparities. She also had the chance to speak at the SAR conference on the "Potential Use of Herbal Medicine for Management of Estrogen Deficiency-related Symptoms." Participating in the Global Herbal Oncology Thinktank meeting further facilitated discussions on collaborative research efforts, underscoring the importance of integrative approaches in addressing minority health challenges. Sharing her insights on vitamin D and herbal medicine must have been incredibly rewarding.

PolyU and Yaodu Yanxuan Health Industry Group (Anguo) Co., Ltd. join forces to advance research translation and talent training in traditional Chinese medicine

PolyU and Yaodu Yanxuan Health Industry Group (Anguo) Co., Ltd. join forces to advance research translation and talent training in traditional Chinese medicine   The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Yaodu Yanxuan Health Industry Group (Anguo) Co., Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 26 March 2025, to jointly translate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research results into clinical applications and commercialisable products and to promote talent training in the field, with a view to promoting the general health of the community.   An MoU signing ceremony was held at PolyU on the same day. In his speech, Prof. WONG Kwok-yin, Vice President (Education) of PolyU, remarked that the two parties will collaborate in the research and development of products based on medicine and food homology, functional foods, external treatment methods and appropriate TCM technologies, transforming scientific and technological achievements into products that enhance public health, and will jointly design education programmes to promote talent training in the field.   The MoU was signed by Prof. WONG Man-sau, Director of the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), and Prof. GE Shaoqin, Director of Yaodu Yanxuan Health Industry Research Institute, under the witness of Prof. Wong Kwok-yin, Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), Mr ZHANG Guowei, Director of the Baoding Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Bureau, and Ms ZHANG Jing, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Executive Deputy Director of the Management Committee of the Hebei Anguo Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine Industrial Park. After the ceremony, both parties visited the University Gallery and had a meeting for discussion on deepening long-term strategic cooperation with Baoding, a city known as the “Millennium Medicine Capital”.     香港理工大學與藥都嚴選健康產業集團（安國）有限公司合作 推動中醫藥科研轉化及人才培訓   香港理工大學（理大）與藥都嚴選健康產業集團（安國）有限公司於3月26日簽署合作備忘錄，聯合推動中醫藥科研的臨床應用及成果商品化，以促進社會大眾健康。   簽署儀式同日於理大校園舉行。理大副校長（教學）黃國賢教授在致詞中表示，雙方將針對藥食同源產品、功能性食品、外治方法、中醫適宜技術等進行聯合研發，將科研成果轉化應用於促進大眾健康的產品，同時也會共同設計中醫藥教育課程，推動中醫藥人才培訓。   合作備忘錄由理大中醫藥創新研究中心主任黃文秀教授、藥都嚴選大健康產業研究院院長葛少欽教授代表簽署，並由黃國賢教授、理大高等研究院院長陳清焰教授，以及保定市中醫藥管理局局長張國偉先生、河北安國現代中藥工業園區黨工委副書記及管委會常務副主任張靜女士共同見證。典禮結束後，雙方到訪理大大學展覽館參觀，並就深化與「千年藥都」保定市的長遠戰略合作進行會議討論。

PolyU and Amway (China) establish Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Aging Research

PolyU and Amway (China) establish Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Aging Research The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Amway (China) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Ageing Research. Over the next three years, the parties plan to allocate dedicated research funding, jointly nurture postdoctoral researchers, and enhance the development of the health industry in the Greater Bay Area through the creation of a phytonutrient database and development of functional assessment models. Witnessed by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, PolyU Deputy President and Provost; Prof. CHEN Qingyan, Director of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR); Dr Eric DU, Principal Scientist of the Research and Development Centre of Amway (China); and Dr Clark CHEN, Senior Scientist of the Centre, the MoU was signed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation), and Mr Johnson HAN, General Manager of Innovation and Science of Amway (China). Following the signing, representatives from both parties officiated at a plaque unveiling ceremony, marking the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Phytonutrients and Aging Research. Over 20 experts joined this noteworthy occasion to celebrate the collaboration. Prof. Wing-tak Wong highlighted the significant potential of this partnership, given the growing demand for phytonutrients products. The Laboratory aims to leverage the opportunities for research innovation and commercialisation in the field, developing new solutions that benefit human health, science and technology, and the economy. Mr Johnson Han shared his company’s decades of research and market experience in phytonutrients, which will complement the work of PolyU’s exceptional research team. In the afternoon, Amway (China) representatives engaged in a series of professional exchanges with PolyU faculty members and students, including at the Frontier Forum on Cognitive Enhancement and Health Management hosted by the Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), which attracted over a hundred participants. Dr Clark Chen, Prof. Raymond CHANG, Professor of the School of Biomedical Sciences of The University of Hong Kong, and Dr Fiona CHEN, Senior Lecturer of the College of Professional and Continuing Education of PolyU, delivered keynote speeches on phytochemical mechanisms and interventions for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, Dr Eric Du conducted a lecture for students from the PolyU Department of Food Science and Nutrition, where he detailed Amway’s experience in building a phytonutrient-centric research and development model for advancing the modern big health industry. Through this partnership, both parties will integrate their strengths and resources to propel research development in phytonutrients, marking a significant step toward achieving a healthy ageing society.  

RCMI Public Talk

One of our associate directors, Professor Yeung, delivered a talk titled 'RCMI Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Promotion Lecture' on February 26th. During his presentation, Professor Yeung shared insights on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), its principles, and its various applications for improving sleep. The talk generated significant interest and engagement among the attendees. This increased awareness is expected to foster a more informed and holistic approach to healthcare among our staff.

6th Guangzhou International Congress of Food, Nutrition and Health & Lingnan Regional Nutrition Innovation Development Conference

Professor  Wong Man Sau,  Director of Research Centre of Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI), was invited as speaker at the 6th Guangzhou International Congress of Nutrition and Health & Lingnan Regional Nutrition Innovation Development Conference on 23 – 24 November 2024. She presented the insights and research breakthroughs on the topics  “Effects of Probiotics on Musculoskeletal Health and Vitamin D Metabolism.”

"Seminar on New Drug Discovery and Development from TCM & Natural Products" and the AIM Pharma Global Partnership Agreement Signing Conference

RCMI Received Shanghai TCM Hospital

Following the momentous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony, Dr Sun Yongning, Vice President of Shanghai TCM hospital and his team visited the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on 5 November 2024.